Top Rated Robot Vacuums
A robot vacuum will keep floors clean enough to reduce the frequency with which you'll need to manually vacuum. Look for one that offers an easy navigation, can sweep corners and stairs, and has a large dust bin that requires emptying only periodically.
There are also models that clean and charge on their own which can be essential for those who have pets or kids. A majority of the top performers in our tests have good ability to overcome obstacles.
1. iRobot Roomba i3+ EVO
The i3+ EVO is similar to its sibling, the i3 EVO. They differ only in the fact that the i3+ comes with self-emptying capabilities. The i3+ is an excellent option for those who want an automated, hands-free cleaning experience, but want to manually empty the dust bin once it gets full.
Both robots do well picking up surface debris on carpets and hard floors and they are very good in getting around furniture and other obstacles. iAdapt navigation software creates intelligent maps of your home that help the i3+ EVO to navigate and clean in a way that maximizes efficiency. The i3+ doesn't feature obstacle avoidance features like the i7+ or other top-rated robots we test. It could get stuck on power cords or socks and have trouble moving between surfaces, such as rug and hardwood.
iRobot recommends clearing areas where the i3+ EVO will vacuum prior to when you use it, which includes getting rid of any clutter or toys it may encounter. You should also keep the dustbin and filter clear to avoid becoming clogged. When the i3+ EVO's internal bin is filled or the battery is empty it goes back to its docking station and automatically emptying its trash into the station's dust bin and continues cleaning where it began. Battery life is about an hour-and-a-half of continuous usage. It takes 3 hours to charge.
2. Roomba by iRobot
The iRobot Roomba i7+ is the top model in iRobot's flagship line and is equipped with the most recent features. It's self-charging, self-navigating, and -- the most important feature of all -- it has a self-emptying dustbin that eliminates one of the main sources of maintenance for any robot vacuum.
The Roomba I7+ can make rooms more efficient maps using Imprint Smart Mapping. It also works with iRobot Home to schedule cleaning jobs, and you can control your robot via the app or voice.
automatic vacuum i7+ is quicker and more agile in our tests than the eufy RoboVac G30. It also removed large pet hair pieces from all surfaces, including carpeting. The main advantage it has over the Eufy is its self-emptying garbage bin which removes major maintenance sources and reduces the cost of maintenance.
We were also impressed with the i7+’s compatibility with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant AI services. We used these services to instruct the robot on how to begin, stop, or pause cleaning sessions as well as move around the room and even vacuum a specific area. Connecting the i7+ to these services was simple and easy with the iRobot Home app. After being connected, to give voice commands to the i7+ for example "Hey Alexa vacuum the master bedroom." The iRobot Home app also provides options to manage the i7+'s preferences and monitoring its performance.
3. Dyson Cyclone V10
This tiny Dyson model is an athletic car in a world of vacuums with cords that feel like minivans and buses. It's got the power and features to replace a stand-up vacuum in the majority of households and can fit perfectly next to the table for a coffee or the bookshelf, that you can spin around like the magic device.
The V10 is powered by a 7-cell, energy-dense lithium-ion battery which produces continuous, non-fading power for 60 minutes. Its advanced whole-machine filter system captures allergens and expels clean air back into your home. Its specialized head uses stiff nylon bristles that penetrate deep into carpets, and then pick up large dust or crumbs. It comes with three suction settings to meet the task at hand. It can quickly switch from floor vacuum to handheld vacuum and vice versa.
The model comes with an attached dock that charges the Dyson to 100 percent in 3.5 hours. It also gives easy access to 2 attachments as well as an Wand. This is a big improvement over earlier Dysons, that require a long charge and are difficult to store.
The V10's main drawback is its limited running time. The claims of its marketing that it can provide up to 60 minutes of running time are not true, as CR's testing shows. This is a typical, not exceptional, battery-powered vacuum's run time. It's still enough time to clean most of a typical-sized home however, it's not enough to get every single spot (though a second run-through usually will suffice). This model has its own advantages however: it's light and more mobile than previous Dysons cordless models, and its vacuuming ability is noticeable superior for carpet floors with low pile.
4. iRobot Roomba 694
One of iRobot's most popular robot vacuums the 694 is an affordable model that's a great option for those who don't want to invest too much on a robotic. It's capable of sucking up most kinds of debris in our testing, and it often goes over the same areas several times to give a thorough clean. The flat front of the unit allows to get into corners and along the edges of walls, which is a nice addition.
Its intelligent navigation system makes use of iAdapt technology to stay clear of obstacles and navigate your home. It's not equipped with the capabilities for mapping of more advanced models, like our top picks, the i3+EVO and j7+ Series. As a result, it can sometimes get stuck on things like phone cords and low furniture, and it frequently runs out of battery power before making it back to its home base.
The Xiaomi Mi robot is superior in many ways to the Roomba 694, as it has fewer parts that require regular cleaning, is outfitted with an allergen-trapping HEPA filtering system, incurs lower recurring cost and has more advanced automation capabilities and is better able to move itself. It also has a larger dustbin, and charges more quickly.
The elegant RoboVac X8 is superior to the Roomba 694 for most purposes, because it has a better battery life, can change its suction power mode on its own and comes with physical boundary strips, and can be controlled by your smartphone's voice assistant. It also feels better-built, has a more powerful motor, and is able to perform better on bare floors and carpets with low pile, while providing a wider array of automation features.
5. Samsung Jet Bot AI+
Samsung is a household name in the field of home electronics. It's not surprising, then, that they are one of the top makers of robot vacuums and mop. Their Jet Bot AI+ is equipped with cutting-edge onboard technology to aid in navigation and obstacle avoidance.
The app provides a range of options for customizing your robotic cleaner. This includes mopping levels, virtual barriers and behavior adjustments docking frequency settings and many more. The app is simple to use and understand similar to other Samsung devices.
In our tests, the Jet Bot AI+ performed well on hard floors, and cleaned up 86% of dog hair (on carpet). It was not as successful in avoiding taller items such as cords or socks. This was disappointing. It's also more expensive than the other models we've tested, and this could be a deal breaker for some buyers.
The app lets you access the onboard camera of the smart vacuum. You can also create live streaming from the robot's area of cleaning. This feature lets you monitor your pets or the kids if you're away from home. The dustbin and filter can be cleaned for quick, painless cleanup. The Jet Bot AI+ also has a clean station that's self-emptying to keep the robot's trash bin clean and optimizes its suction power for each cleaning.
6. Black & Decker Robot Vacuum
Unlike other robotic vacuums, which are designed for both hard floors and carpets, Black and Decker robots are designed specifically for hard floors. They feature an extra-wide cleaning path and an extra-large dust bin that can hold 2X more debris than the competition to keep the cleaning area free of debris for the longest period of time. In addition, they have two side sweepers that clean around edges and corners. The POWERSERIES Extreme model also comes with AutoSense technology, which can tell whether it's picking up surface litter or embedded dirt and automatically adjusts the power level. It also includes a smart application that lets you view the virtual map and manage the functions and schedules. Plus, you can monitor the battery's status and then return it to its dock for charging at the push of the button. The app allows you to customize the LED lights on the top of the vacuum so that you can discern where it is focusing or if it has gotten stuck.
The app also makes it simple to steer the robot manually in the event of need. For example my living room rug has a darkly-colored border that tends to trip up some of the other robots I've tested. However the HRV 425BL kept moving across the border, but it didn't register it as an incline. The ability to create the weekly cleaning schedule is a great time-saving convenience.